Braun enteroenterostomy reduces delayed gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: A retrospective review

Background Several recent studies have suggested that Braun enteroenterostomy (BEE) during conventional pancreatoduodenectomy might decrease delayed gastric emptying (DGE). However, the advantages and disadvantages of performing BEE during pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) remain controversial. Methods The medical records of 185 patients who underwent PPPD either with or without BEE between January 2008 and June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed, and the postoperative course of the 2 groups was compared. Results Ninety-eight patients underwent PPPD with BEE and 87 without BEE. DGE occurred in 4% of patients with BEE and in 21% of those without BEE (P <.01). The addition of BEE did not affect postoperative complications other than DGE. By multivariate analysis, the omission of BEE was the only independent factor associated with DGE (odds ratio 5.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.59 to 19.66; P <.01). Conclusions BEE during PPPD reduced the incidence of DGE.